Ana Ceballos
Gwen Graham, a top Democratic candidate for Florida governor, was quick to paint her persona as a “hugger,” but refused to be labeled on the political spectrum.
“I am running to stay true to myself, I am running for what I believe and I believe strongly that the best government is getting smart people in a room and planning for a future …” Graham said Thursday. “So I am not going to be labeled, if you want to label me as a hard worker that determined to do the best for Florida, that is the only label I want to have.”
Graham said she wants to push policies that protect the state’s environment from climate change — a common theme in her gubernatorial campaign — and suggested strategies that would allow the “Sunshine State” to move toward becoming a “Solar Energy State.”
In the theme of the protecting the state’s environment, Graham said more has to be done about the “inevitable rising sea levels we are going to face.”
“I understand that people want to live on the coast — I understand that — but we have to be planning and preparing to make sure that the development that is done, is done with an eye toward rising sea level,” Graham said.
According to a recent poll, Graham is leading among Democratic primary voters by more than 30 percent, and her campaign announced Wednesday the backing of three South Florida mayors.
When she asked about the sexual harassment claims flying over the state Capitol in recent weeks, one of which led to the resignation of Sen. Jeff Clemens, Graham said there needs to be more humanity in the process.
As far as gender goes, she is not making a big fuss about that.
“I am the only woman in the race,” Graham said. “But I don’t talk about that much.”
